"And I think it's prudent to make sure until somebody signs a piece of paper you don't announce it.

"There's already through this transfer window and in January, there have been one or two cases where a player is meant to be at one club, the next minute they've gone and signed for another football club.

"The speculation's there, this is obviously the latest one that we've talked about. When things happen, if they happen, then our football club will announce it."

Despite his unwillingness to reveal whether the club are close to completing a deal, the 47-year-old did express his admiration for the defender.

He added "I know he's a Norwegian international. He's left-footed predominantly, he's got a lot of games under his belt for a 24-year-old player. As I say, he's got a bright future in the game."